The beast killing the two witnesses c. 16th century

Editor: This is "The beast killing the two witnesses" by Hans Holbein the Younger, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a pretty intense scene; the dragon is quite menacing. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: This print likely reflects the anxieties surrounding religious authority during the Reformation. Holbein worked in a time of intense political and religious upheaval. Consider how visual imagery was used as propaganda. How might this image function within that context? Editor: So, the dragon could symbolize a corrupt institution, maybe? And the witnesses, voices of dissent? Curator: Precisely. The power of the image lies in its capacity to shape public opinion and critique the status quo. What do you make of the setting? Editor: The setting looks ecclesiastical, which furthers that interpretation. I hadn't thought about the power of images in that era. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. Recognizing art's function in broader socio-political struggles can change our understanding.